I offer a range of other services beside making tools from scratch...
I offer a full sharpening and refurbishment service for virtually any cutting tool. I can put a better than new edge onto your knives, scissors, saws, etc. I will also re-grind axes, hooks and the like when the are very damaged (or brand new and badly ground!).
I will replace tool handles with new commercially made ones or my own handmade handles where appropriate. If your tools have been damaged by over heating I can re-temper then. I can often straighten bent blades.
Click here for a price guide or contact me for more information.
Sharpening Service
Sheath Making
I will happily make leather sheathes, blade guards or cases for any of your existing tools and knives. Many people throw their tools into their tool boxes or the back of a Landrover with nothing to protect the blades from damage (to the tool or to people). I have made sheathes for chisels, billhooks, axes and the like.
If you have made your own knife, but do not want to make the sheath, then I can always make one for you. I can do inlays, overlays, set stones, carved and tooled decoration, just look through my gallery for ideas or previous work.
I have put together an archaeologically accurate Iron Age forge set up, which I can take out to almost any venue to perform demonstrations. I can also teach small groups how to forge using this equipment (no previous experience required).
An Iron Age blacksmith is a great attraction for many types of show, but with my specialist knowledge of both archaeology and ferrous metallurgy University archaeology departments would find this particularly useful as a teaching aid (or indeed for promoting their courses at open days).
I am currently expanding my setup to cover most periods from the very early Iron Age through to the medieval period.
Click here to go to my Iron Age Forge page to see more of what I do.
N.B. I have recently seen other schools and the like offering 'Iron Age blacksmithing', but beware! Many are using set ups that bare a passing resemblance to my own, but they may not be all they appear! All of my equipment at shows, demonstrations and courses advertised as being of the Iron Age is archaeologically correct. I have spent a great deal of time in researching and recreating the kit to be this way.
They say that imitation is the greatest form of flattery, but remember if you want the real deal; then I'm the closest thing there has been to an Iron Age blacksmith for nearly 2000 years!
Dates for 2008
The list below includes all of the shows and courses that I have arranged thus far, as new dates are added and confirmed I shall update the list. So keep looking back to see if I'm offering anything of interest!
Courses are in white and all held in my woods at Cheriton Bishop in Devon
Shows where I shall be demonstrating/exhibiting are in black.
Here you will find more information on the courses listed below, including available paces and prices.
DateEvent
Knifemaking Supplies and Courses
Courses
I run a range of knife/tool making courses, tailored to your desires. I will teach you individually to make the knife or tool of your design. I also run short courses to undertake parts of the process, for example if you only want to make a blade, handle or sheath with me.
Click here for more information on courses and examples of the work produced by my students.
Knifemaking Supplies
Knifemaking as a hobby is on the increase in the UK, but not everybody has the time, equipment or desire to make their own blades. That is why I offer pre-made blades for sale. You can design your own blade and ask me to make it for you, or you can choose from one of the blades that I have ready (see link below). I will finish the blade to whatever state you desire. So it can be forged and heat treated but not polished to it's final finish, or it can be supplied completely finished with only the handle required. I offer any type of blade that I would normally make, from forged finished to pattern welded.
Here you can find the blades that I currently have ready for you to use. I have also included some examples of what previous customers have done with my blades.
Last Updated
17/7/2008
March
8th-9thAxe Making with the Iron Age Forges.
22th-24thFeast Weekend. Make cooking & eating kit, culminating in a seasonal feast!
April
12th Sharpening Course. Learn to sharpen the tools that you bring with you (time permitting)
19th-20thBow Making. Carve out your own fast shooting bow under instruction from a professional bowyer.
21st Arrow Making. From shoots to finished arrows. Timed to fit with the bowmaking, but open to everyone.
May
3rd-5th Outlaw at Dumnonii (LRP event) as the Iron Age smith nr Okehampton, Devon
18th Knives UK 2008. THE British Knife show Tortworth Court, Watton-Under-Edge, nr(ish) Bristol
24-26th Knife Making with the Iron Age forges. This course includes a third day to make a sheath.
June
7th-8th Spoon carving. Learn to carve beautiful and useful wooden utenstils, including spoons and cups
21st-22ndBentley Hands On History. The arts and crafts of our acestors!Bentley Wildfowl & Motor Museum
28-29th Spear Making using the Iron Age forges. Make and learn about throwing spears
July
12th-13thSouthWest Forest WoodfairRoadford Lake, Devon
20thNational Archaeology Day (Iron Age forge demos) TBCNeroche Project, Taunton (Somerset)
26thPouch Making. Come and make yourself a leather 'possibles pouch'.
August
1st-5thBushcraftUK BushMoot 2008Merthyr Mawr (Nr Brigend), South Wales
9thBroadoak Country Fair (4pm-10pm forging displays)Broadoak nr Bridport, Dorset
16thSheath Making. Come and learn how to make a top quality leather sheath for your knife, axe or other tool.
17thSharpening Course. Learn to sharpen the tools that you bring with you (time permitting)
6-7th River Cottage Festival River Cottage HQ (Park Farm), Axminster
13-14th Midland Game Fair(to be confirmed)Weston Park,
27-28th Iron Age Knifemaking course
October
11-12th Feast Weekend. Make cooking & eating kit, culminating in a seasonal feast!
November
1st Charcoal Burning course. take part in a large and small burn, take away some of the produce!
8th(-9th)Bells & Bangles. Personal adornments (such as buckles, brooches and bells) forged from iron.
December
I have often been asked to make a knife for people to give to loved ones as a special gift, but the customer doesn't always know what would be the best knife for their friend. It's at times like that that I offer them a gift voucher, personalised for them.
I can make up a voucher for any value you wish, alternatively, I can make up a voucher for a particular piece. For example if you wanted to give a GreenMan Pro bushcraft knife to somebody for Christmas and you ask me with 5 days to go if I have any, chances are that I won't . Instead I can send you a special gift card with a photograph of the intended gift and an eta on the real thing.
Gift vouchers can be used in full or part payment of any Dave Budd product or service (though no change can be given). This means that a gift voucher could translate into your friend's ideal knife or it could give them the oportunity to come and spend time in my workshop on a knifemaking course so that they can produce their own!
